Practical Application: Monthly Rental Living

One week ago today was Memorial Day. It seems like forever ago! We had a wonderful few days celebrating the holiday and the birthdays of our oldest and youngest children at Log Country Cove on Lake LBJ. It was so much fun! See photos here or watch the video.

At this moment we are sitting in a Starbuck’s in Round Rock. Dale is working and I’m determined to share insights that could be helpful to anyone considering living in monthly Airbnb or VRBOs.

We moved into our first monthly rental last Wednesday. This is our first experience with a long-term rental. Unbelievably, Georgetown options were much more expensive than the places we’ve booked along the East Coast. I resorted to haggling with the owner which resulted in a $600 price cut. Even with that, it is more than most of our other rentals! I found this property on both Airbnb and VRBO. It was a smidge cheaper on VRBO, and VRBO allows me to pay in two installments. Airbnb requires the entire month at once.

• Advice #1: Check both Airbnb and VRBO to see if the property is listed on both and select the one that’s most affordable. And, don’t be afraid to negotiate for a better price.

Our place is situated on Scenic Drive in Georgetown. It’s a compact, tidy home that is very comfortable and well stocked. I know this area very well since I worked in Georgetown for 18 years. I passed by this home many times. Who’d thought I’d be living in it! Ha! However, I didn’t realize that the path to the river that is across from our property is a pedestrian homeless highway. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it is definitely used by the homeless to get to a park where they hang out. I’m not sure there is anything I could have done to discover this nugget before renting, especially since I thought I knew the area very well.

• Advice #2: Attempt to discover the nature of the neighborhood you will be living in. Yes, the rental may look great but it’s a bummer if you feel unsafe or are unable to enjoy the neighborhood on foot.

As I mentioned, our place is very well stocked. I’ve discovered that quite a few home owners prefer to rent their space by the month and it seems to me, based on this first rental, that there are many more supplies and food items available because of this. We have more than enough laundry and dishwasher soap, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. I have the impression that when people stay for a month they leave behind items with a long shelf life. This is mostly good, but it leaves less space for our own items.

Advice #3: Take inventory of what you have before going to the grocery store! And, don’t be afraid to do a bit of reorganizing to make room for your stuff.

Everything we need for the next six months is in, or on, our car. We ended up buying a car-top carrier to accommodate our stuff. Obviously my packing expectations were unrealistic! Ha! We are totally unpacking our car at every rental. We really want to have a homey experience along the way and not live out of the suitcase, or run out to the car every time we need a different pair of shoes. We had to do this for the first three weeks after selling our home, and it was tolerable, but not something we want to continue for the next few months. Our home on Scenic Drive is all set up, including a few family photos. We even have Alexa connected again. Wow, we’ve missed her! Ha!

• Advice #4: Unpack, make yourself at home. After all, it will be your home for the next few weeks!

If you are working remotely, set up your space. Make it as functional and comfortable as you can. Dale worked with only his laptop during the first three weeks, but once we got to our monthly rental he pulled out his monitor, family photos, etc. We debated whether to pack these items, but we had room, and it has made his work environment so much more enjoyable. Also, take advantage of your mobility to visit coffee shops. Dale admits that he is prone to just sit at his desk all day, but he is beginning to enjoy working “double remotely”!

• Advice #5: Set up your workspace so you will be comfortable and productive. If you have room, bring those extra items that help make your day more enjoyable.

Every morning Dale gets up early for Bible study and prayer, then he fixes our coffee. On certain days we go out early and exercise. I have my quiet time and then I prepare breakfast for us. This became our routine after I quit work in 2019 and we have resumed it in this rental. For us routine is important and comforting.

• Advice #6: Don’t let a new place disrupt your routine… unless you want it to! I think it is possible to have an adventure and keep your most important routines!

I hope this post has been insightful. I am certain we will discover much more as time goes on.